Grass-catcher for lawn-mowers.



No 796,999. PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905.

' G.K.HANN.

GRASS GATGHER FOR LAWN MOWBRS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1904:.

ATTORNEYS CHESTER K. HANN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

GRASS-CATCHER FOR LAWN-MOWERS- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1 def).

Application filed November 28, 1904. Serial No. 234,468.

ers, of which the following is a specificationf My invention relates to a new and useful improvementin grass-catchers for lawn-mowers. The object of my invention is to provide a catcher of the metal-bottom type which may be readily attached to and-held securely in position on lawn-mowers of various widths.

Another feature is the arrangement of the means for attaching the catcher to the lawnmower, which-comprises a mechanism carried by and attached to the catcher, thus obviating loose and separate parts which are liable to become mislaid or inoperative.

Still another novel point is set forth in a specially-formed wire frame for the catcher, which maybe readily folded down upon the metal bottom, together with the canvas carried thereby, so as to produce a compact device for the purpose of transporting and shipping.

Finally, the object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that will be strong, durable, eflicient, and simple and comparatively inexpensive to make and one in which the several parts will not be liable toget out of working order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention relates to the novel details of construction and operation, a preferable embodiment of which is described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a planview showing the catcher-body and its frame folded down upon the bottom. Fig. 8 is an under side view. Fig. 4 is adetail plan view of one of the front corners of the catcher and portions of the adjacent parts, and Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on the line 00 an of Fig. 2.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates the bottom of the catcher, which is preferably formed of sheet metal and provided on its sides and rear end with flanged portions 2, which are turned up and bent inwardly and rolled to cover and securely hold in place the fabric 8, whose lower edges are caught about a wire frame 4 disposed under the said flanges. By such a construction thelower edges of the fabric body 3 are securely held in place and a finished edge formed along the bottom of the catcher. The frame 4 is preferably U-shaped,

lying beneath the flanges along the sides and rear end of the bottom. The said flanges are cut away, together with the bottom 1. at the forward end thereof, so as to allow the forward ends of the frame 4 to project forwardly, so as to be bent inward and pass through ears 5, turned up from the metal bottom 1. The ends of the frame 4 are bent back upon themselves at 6 to form hinged loops piercing eyes 7, formed at the lower end of an inverted-U- shaped bow frame or wire 8. The bow-frame 8 is thus pivotally secured in place so that it may be readily folded downwardly and forwardly and is at its upper corners coiled upon itself, as indicated at 9, to form eyes for the reception of looped ends 10 of a rearwardlyextending top frame or wire 11. The top frame 11 normally occupies a rearwardly-inclining position and serves to support the upper edges-of the fabric catcher-body 3. It is obvious that by forcing the frame 11 forward the bow-frame 8 will also be carried forward and, together with the top frame, downward, so as to lie flat upon the metal bottom, as shown in Fig. 2, the fabric being folded in, as clearly shown, and thus producing a compact structure for transporting and shipping purv poses. I

For attaching the catcher to the lawn-mower I arrange on the bottom thereof a wire frame 12, having a general U shape, with its free ends extending forwardly. At its rear end the frame is coiled upon itself centrally to form an eye, through which is passed a headed pin or rivet 13, secured to the bottom 1, and thus holding the frame in position on the said bottom. The rivet 13 also serves to form a pivot-point, and thus allow the forwardly-extending arms or portions of the frame 12 to be swung from side to side.

14 are of such length as to allow the hooked members 17 to be swung away from each In utilizing my catcher the body is swung upward to the position shown in Fig. 1, and any suitable means may be connected to the rear end of the top frame and the handle of the mower so as to securely support the rear end of the catcher. The hook members 17 are sprung apart and engaged at any suitable point upon the lower rear portion of the lawn-mower and held securely in engagement therewith by the spring 16.

-.It is apparent that the device may be readily and expeditiously attached and that a simple and efficacious catcher is provided.

It will be noted that the spring 16 will assist in keeping the cut grass from riding forward into the mower-body.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

e 1. In agrass-catcher, the combination with a bod y. provided with a metal bottom consisting of a single piece, of a spring attaching frame movably supported upon the bottom and provided with engaging members.

2. In a grass-catcher, the combination with the bottom and body thereof, of attaching members supported from the under side of the bottom, and resilient means for holding the attaching members under tension.

3. In a grass-catcher, the combination with a body having a bottom provided with slots, attaching members having portions extending through the slots, and resilient means for connecting the members.

4. In a grass-catcher, the combination with attaching means, of a body comprising a metal bottom, a fabric body portionsecured to the bottom, a bow-frame provided with eyes and pivotally secured to the forward end of the body, and a top frame connected to the upper edges of the body portion and having pivotal connection with the eyes of the bow-frame at its forward ends, the bow-frame, top frame and body portion being adapted to be folded down upon the metal bottom.

5. In a grass-catcher, the combination with a body provided with a metal bottom, of a spring attaching-frame provided with engaging members secured upon the metal bottom.

CH ESTER K. HANN.

In presence of A. L. PHELPS, M. B. SoHLEY. 

